My daughter just had 3 teeth pulled this morning. She is 11 years old. We got there at 8:15 they called her back at 8:28 she came out at 8:43 crying and in pain. She said they gave her the shots to numb it then they pulled her teeth. Is this normal procedures. They did not ask her if it was numb or anything. The reason she had not pulled them herself was they were so wedged in by the teeth coming in. I had asked if they could pull them a year ago and they said she needed to see an orthodonitist. I want to file a claim against this dentist office. This is not the first time they have hurt one of my children. However, I gave them another chance because my older son said they were use to this dentist and it could been an accident that could happen with anyone. This however is uncalled for. Do I have any legal right to press charges? this is ridiculous.
They wanted her to see an orthodontist becasue they said her teeth would not come in straight if they pulled her baby teeth. The orthodontist said with as many teeth as she has they needed to pull the teeth and get her braces when she was 14 or 15 when all the teeths should be in. The orthodontist would not pull her teeth. The first thing had to do with my son when he was 5, they pinched his lip and a huge white looking blister came up looking like liquid in it. I took him to the emergency room and the doctor said they had pinched his lip with the hose when they were filling his teeth. Had me upset saying if it did not heal properly he would need facial reconstruction on his mouth.
I am in the process of finding a new dentist for my children. I have had custody of these 3 for 9 years. They are on well care. I would never insist on them doing something that was not right. The dentist said she needed to be seen by an orthodonist and we went 2 different orthodonist. They both said she needed to lose the teeth causing the mouth to be sore, the teeth were wedged in and tight. The only thing yesterday I asked of them was would it make a difference of how the teeth would come in it they only pulled one side. I wanted both sides pulled at the same time so her teeth would not shift to the open hole. I was told the dentist would look at that. 14 minutes later when she came out crying they had pulled 3. If they had helped her get them out before when they started wedging in it would have made a big difference.
my daughter had four baby teeth removed - for braces - from an oral surgeon. orthodontist does not normally remove teeth. she was put to sleep and did wonderful - was out very quickly also. dentist could have removed the teeth as well, but only one or two at a time because of the numbing and location of the teeth. we chose to put her to sleep and have it all done at once and quickly. sometimes it is just more calming for the child.
I'm sorry that your daughter had a rough experience. In my opinion, what's done is done. Since it sounds like you weren't in the room during the procedure, it would be a tough battle anyway. Continue your search for someone new, but I suggest that you let the dentist (not just the receptionist) know why you are leaving the practice (citing the amount of time elapsed rather than your daughter's tears, as they could chalk up the tears to an overly emotional child). I would also insist on being in the room for any other procedures (whether major or potentially traumatic) for your children. The most important thing a physician ever told me was "You are your child's most important health care professional, the only one who knows his/her regular diet, behaviors, appearance, responses, etc. If you know something is wrong, make your voice heard." That helped me to see things more clearIy and to realize that doctors see hundreds of kids and have no idea which ones have high pain tolerances, which ones get upset easily, and which ones make mountains out of molehills. I am not usually an overly pushy mom, but when it comes to anything related to my children's health, I make sure to get the answers we need from someone I trust. Hope this helps you as much as it did me.
You file a claim against his license, but I agree with DC, he told you to see someone else for this, yet you insisted he do it. If he pulled the teeth before the mouth was numb, I would let the licensing office know. If it was the normal "hurt" we all get from a dentist, especially one who already said this procedure would be better done by a specialist, than i would leave it alone and just find a new dentist.
Why did you insist that HE do it? He said take her to someone more skilled in crowded teeth. When my family dentist says that, then the kids see a specialist! Also, if a doctor hurt my kids, "being used to him" is not a reason to give him another chance. Your kids will get used to the next one IF he's good at his job. Because he hurt a child once and you took them back, you may not have a case. It may even reflect badly on you.
He said she needed an orthodontist: that means braces MIGHT have been able to space her teeth out and then the teeth could have come out naturally. In our day kids didn't get braces until about 15 because they thought the jaw needed to be close to adult size to start straightening the teeth. They now can start braces at about 8 years old and it helps with the baby teeth spacing, too. Next time a doctor says "see a specialist" ~ ask why!
As far as numbing shots, when my daughter had teeth pulled, they gave her the medicine, waited about 5 or ten minutes, checked her to see if she was numb, waited a few more minutes for it to be TOTALLY numb and THEN pulled her teeth. My dentist does the same.
My familt dentist is NOT a pediatric dentist. He WILL do cleanings, fillings and everyday stuff. His tools for extraction are BIGGER than pediatric tools. My daughter needed several baby teeth pulled and also a baby tooth that never surfaced needed to be cut out from under the gum. My dentist said he wasn't comfortable or knowledgable enough with kids' mouths and that she needed a children's oral surgeon because the nerve placement is different and also that he wasn't up-to-date on the dosage amounts of pain killer for kids. Our Doc had no connection with the oral surgeon I chose, so it had nothing to do with "wanting more money out of us".
Sorry your daughter had such a bad experience.
Hi, A.:
I am so sad that you and your children had to go through this pain and
suffering.
I suggest that you learn from this experience. Shop for pediactric dentist of that deal with children. When you feel something is not right, pay attention to your feelings.
Talk to the dentist and see what procedures they do and how they do it and share your experience with other dentistis.
I would suggest you save your money to pay for your next dentist bills.
The amount of money you would spend on attorney fees, the time you will invest and not to mention the stress of it all. Chalk it up to a learning experience.
I regret to say,this happens alot not only with Dentist but also with Physicians.
Good luck in the future. D.
I would think a Pediatric Dentist could have put her to sleep and then pulled the teeth to aid in her comfort. Poor baby girl...I feel so bad for her.
Don't take her back there. One thing when they numb them at any of the dentist offices I have been to, they ALWAYS wait 10-15 minutes to make sure they are sufficiently numb, even for myself.
